Behind the Hotel de l’Image, it is green as far as you can see, or at least until the limestone peaks of the Alpilles mountains rise from the Rhone valley. Here, there are sprawling gardens, fountains, the pool, and plenty of room to relax.
Quiet and still on a drizzly, mid-spring morning, the bog spread out to the horizon painted in shades of yellowish-green, deep orange, and brown. Occasionally, the sponge-like earth was interrupted by deep pools of water. How deep, we didn’t really know…and preferred not to find out.
“Estava bonissim!!!” “That was delicious!” We found ourselves saying that frequently throughout the day. Each stop on our Devour Barcelona Food Tour was more delicious than the last. Not having any experience with Catalonian food, we’re glad we took the tour for the highlights.
Germany’s relationship with Jewish history is painful. But this is not that story. This is the remarkably unlikely story of one of Europe’s greatest treasures hidden for centuries. This is the story of a history lost – and rediscovered under unlikely circumstances. This is the story, the legend, of the Erfurt Treasure and the Old Erfurt Synagogue.
Planted in the heart of the Barcelona’s modern Eixample neighborhood, a hidden oasis blossoms in the Mediterranean sun. Far from the chaos of La Rambla, visitors find peace and quiet in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The Praktik Garden Hotel in Barcelona is a secret find for the visitor looking to enjoy the heart of the city in a relaxed venue.
Riga’s Art Nouveau neighborhood couldn’t be further from my misconception of what a visit to the Baltics would look like.
A hot air balloon flight is one of the most magical ways to explore a destination. This ride over the Lithuanian countryside was truly unforgettable.
The Romantic Road. Those three words conjure up images of fairy tales and charming little villages. For years, despite numerous trips to Germany, I’ve avoided what is arguably the best known holiday route in the world. I had a lot of preconceptions about the Romantic Road – some were true and some were just legends. One thing is for certain, The Romantic Road in Germany was a complete surprise.
Like ghosts in the mist, white hooded bodies move silently through the 200 year old wooden structure. The dense fog strangles the senses as sight and sound are distorted. Slowly, the bodies pace back and forth. The only noise is the faint trickle of water. These pilgrims come to the Keltenbad spa (or Celtic Bath) in Bad Salzungen, Germany for “The Cure.” As I quickly learned, the Keltenbad Bad Salzungen is like very few places on earth.
Weimar, Germany is a town with an identity crisis. On one hand, it is a town deeply rooted in the Romantic Classical period. On the other hand, it is progressive, modern and gave birth to the Bauhaus movement. The dual traditions – Classical Weimar and the Weimar Bauhaus – are both recognized as separate UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I’ve visited the city several times over the last 20 years, and each time is a truly profound experience.